The Bihar Cabinet approved the proposed amendments to the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, to make it less stringent for the first-time offenders and those caught carrying liquor in lesser quantities in smaller non-commercial vehicles, officials aware of the matter said.
The modified sections will come into force after the state assembly approves them.
As per the proposed amendments, moveable and immoveable assets of arrested liquor traders would be confiscated while frequent drinkers would be fined as well as imprisoned.
While the government has not yet divulged the amount of fine to be imposed on first-time “drinkers”, sources said that it would be “reasonable” as the basic idea behind the relaxation is to avoid jails getting clogged. If the first-time offenders fail to pay the fine, as per the amendments, they will face simple imprisonment for one year.
The liquor prohibition law was enforced in April 2016, banning the manufacturing, sale, and consumption of liquor. It provides for up to life imprisonment for serious offences and confiscation of houses, vehicles, and other properties from where liquor is seized.
The proposed amendment also provides for the police and excise department to consider relaxation (including the waiver of fine) if drinkers successfully identify the source of liquor purchase.
Discussion about this post